FAQ

General FAQ

COLORTOOL Sprays deliver clean, crisp consistent color in an ultra-fine mist that provides color coverage without a thick coat of paint or excessive spray dust. This fast-drying spray is delicate enough to color fresh flowers yet sturdy enough to use on all sorts of materials used by professional florists, artisans and crafters. Its versatility is unmatched. The unique delivery system also gives you control to blend, tint, tone and shade colors.

Design Master sprays are modified lacquer-based products. A feature of lacquer products is that as additional coats are applied they re-soluablize the underneath layers to bond together, not just sit on top of one another. The result is a more durable application of color.

What are the differences in DESIGN MASTER color products?

COLORTOOL Spray is pigmented color. It provides a semi-opaque to opaque coverage. A palette of over 50 colors provides an array of vibrant and metallic hues.

TintIT. is sheer, transparent color. It adds rich, vibrant color to a surface while allowing underlying features to be seen. Also gives you options to tint, shift or layer color. Just For Flowers® is a spray flower dye. Its transparent color doesn’t hide delicate details on fresh, silk and dried flowers.

How do you clean up or remove DESIGN MASTER sprays?

Design Master MESS MASTER is the solvent to our sprays and will remove any overspray. To remove spray from your skin, use soap and water to remove as much spray as possible. If color still remains on your skin, spray MESS MASTER into paper toweling and rub over the area. The solvent will dry the skin. Be certain to wash the skin again and apply moisturizer. Lacquer thinner or acetone can be used too.

What is a Primer?

A primer is a surface preparation spray designed to increase paint adhesion, provide better paint coverage and penetration on porous surfaces, smooth uneven surfaces for a better topcoat finish and ensure true paint color. When changing the color of an item from a dark to light, spray a coat of Design Master PRIMER before applying the desired light color.

Are DESIGN MASTERSprays toxic?

All Design Master sprays are non-toxic when dry. Be sure to apply the sprays in a well-ventilated area and follow the directions on the label.

Are DESIGN MASTER sprays harmful to the environment?

Design Master sprays DO NOT contain CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon) propellants and will not harm the ozone layer. They are not a significant source of smog. Design Master Sprays are compliant with all United States aerosol regulations, including all stringent air quality regulations in the state of California.

DESIGN MASTER cans are made from at least 25% recycled materials and are recyclable in communities that accept them.

Where can I buy DESIGN MASTER sprays?

Visit the Where To Buy tab on this website. For further information contact Design Master Customer Service at 800.525.2644, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm MST.

Product FAQ

Can I apply a clear coat over metallic color?

Most metallic finishes are achieved using dyed metal particles that lay on top the surface to mimic a metal finish. Some of these particles can wipe off in the hand. While applying a clear coat will add protection and durability to the finish, it will diminish the reflective metal-like finish.

For a scratch-resistant, durable metallic finish choose Design Master MODERN METALS. These sprays utilize special effect pigments to achieve the metallic finish while at the same time provide durability.

Are COLORTOOL Sprays safe to spray on STYROFOAM™ brand foam?

Our COLORTOOL Spray including the metallic hues, ANTIQUE GOLD, BRILLIANT GOLD, BRILLIANT SILVER and COPPER safely colors rigid, open-cell Styrofoam™ brand foam which is extruded polystyrene foam. (Note, Styrofoam is trademarked by the Dow Chemical company. The term is frequently and inaccurately used to describe other rigid foam products.) Metallic colors from our Premium Metals line have heavier formulations that will distort the foam. Follow directions on the label and spray approx. 18″ from the surface. Spraying too close to the foam surface will not give the solvent time to evaporate. If too much solvent lays on the surface, it will eat the foam. Apply light even coats of color. Be sure to let dry between coats. Build up coverage in steps. (Remember, it dries quick so won’t take too long.) Heavy coats or not allowing drying between coats will leave the surface too wet for too long and could cause the foam to melt.

COLORTOOL Spray also safely colors closed-cell, SMOOTHFOAM™ Crafters Foam (expanded polystyrene – EPS or beadboard). Spray in the same manner as directed above for safe application. Other types of foam products will require a test spray to ensure compatibility or no melting.

Can I spray fabrics with Design Master Sprays?

Yes, fabrics can be colored with COLORTOOL Sprays, Premium Metals, TintIT. and Just For Flowers. These sprays work on a variety of fabrics, generally leaving a slightly starched feeling to the fabric. Metallic hues sprayed on fabric will appear not as reflective as if sprayed on a smooth surface.

The touch of the sprayed finish will vary depending on the nap of the fabric For example, a ripstop nylon will have a smoother painted finish than a T-shirt cotton knit. Small, loose fibers of a cotton T-shirt (and similar fabric) will grab the spray color and make it slightly more prominent. When dry you can feel a slight roughness to the surface. A simple remedy is to take a piece of scratch paper and ‘sand’ the painted fabric. This will remove the spurs and smooth the finish but keep the color!

Can I wash these painted fabrics?

Washable fabrics that were colored with Design Master sprays can be washed. The color is not water soluble and will not bleed. No heat setting is required. The color will hold rather well, but after extensive washings the intensity of the applied color will fade.

Why did my painted finish result in a dull whitish look?

Painting in direct sunlight and on a hot, humid day will cause the spray’s solvent to dry too quickly. This “flashing-off” produces a dull whitish film on the surface and can occur in these conditions whether using a color or clear coat spray. To rectify, simply re-spray the item under room temperature, low-humidity conditions. Because Design Master sprays are lacquer-based, the new coat will re-soluablize the previous one, bonding with it in a normal finish.

Why is the spray not drying?

Chances are the color was applied to a pre-finished surface. Many items have a clear finish applied to them in manufacturing and is difficult to determine its type. Most Design Master sprays are fast-drying. If the surface isn’t dry within 30-60 minutes you are experiencing an incompatibility between finishes. Test spraying in an inconspicuous area is the best determinant of an incompatibility. Prior to application, a coating of Design Master SUPER SURFACE SEALER will act as a barrier between the two finishes and allow it to dry.

Why won’t this metallic spray adhere to terra cotta pots?

Some terra cotta pots have an invisible film of mold release that remains on the surface after manufacturing. It is difficult to tell which ones do and don’t. When metallic colors do not adhere to terra cotta pots, it is because mold release is present and needs to be removed.

To remedy, wash the pot in soapy water with a scrubber. Or, spray MESS MASTER over the pot and wipe. Allow pot to thoroughly dry before re-spraying. chivo